Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

[rigasr]

I appologize, I dont yet have a service manual for my 1999 Force 120 but have a question regarding water circulation on this outboard as I dont know if mine is working as it should but maybe it is. I am new to outboards

1. Water is sucked up from the holes at the bottom of the gear case via the water pump.
2. I see water exiting the pee hole.
3. Where else should the water, thats sucked in by the water pump, be exiting from?

The reason I ask is becuase I have a 55 gallon tub and have it filled with water. The lower gear case with the water inlets are nicely covered with water.
I start the motor and throttle it a bit. Water comes out the pee hole but also from all over the place below the lower cowl.
There are 3 holes on the leg and water sputters out of there. At the back of the leg (just below lowe cowl) water streams out. I also see water coming out around the anodes area where the gear case meets the leg. Is this normal or how should the water be circulating/flowing.

I am not having any overheating issues but I not sure if this is how it should work since I had the lower gear case and water pump replaced last year and hopin git was installed correctly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Best thing to do is remove the upper cowl cover. Start your engine in the water, make sure
The lower cowl isn't filling with water. If it is then you should be able to locate your leak and I hope a quick and easy cheap fix. Water should flow out of the other outlets you described but not out the lower cowl. Water also flows out the open end of the prop. and this is your main outlet. Hope this helps.

 

[rigasr]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Hi, I'm not getting any water in my lower cowl, already checked. Its flowing out from somewhere just below the lower cowl at the back. So I guess what I described above is okay then?

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

I,m not sure if this is your prob. but could be a blown headgasket or cracked block.
Don,t panic till ya get her running and see if you have any water inside your lower cowl. If you can post any pix that would be a huge help. Good luck.

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Yes that sounds correct. my last post was only meant if you had water filling up in the lower cowl.

 

[rigasr]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Bentle, I think you misunderstood my last post. I am not getting any water in my lower cowl. I am just pointing out places where I see water exiting from when the engine is running in water. One of the places where water exists from is somewhere at the back of the leg just below the cowl. Its not running into the cowl, it splases down the leg.

Just need to know if this and the othe rplaces I see water exiting is normal.

Thanks

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

I prob. did my bad,sorry. From what you described in your last post it sounds as if everything is working like it should be. The water flow I mean.

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

my 125 and your 120 should be almost alike. I have water coming out of the end of my prop the little outlet holes and the pee hole and that is the only places it should be running out. Anywhere else might indicate a leaking water pump housing or the tube that plugs into the top of the water pump housing. Both are famous for leaking but an easy fix. From what your describing on yours I think all is well.

 

[rigasr]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

What about the fact that water is also splashing out the back just below the bottom cowl. Is that normal?

 

[bentle]

Re: Watermm circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Re: Watermm circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Ok let me make sure I understand you. The back meaning between the cowel and the boat?
Because that would lead me to believe you have a leak somewhere around the pump housing
Area or the water pick up tube that plugs into the pump housing. Should only be coming out the three other places. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[rigasr]

Re: Watermm circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Re: Watermm circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Yes, water comes out somewhere where the lower cowl joins the driveshaft housing (boat side).
So what I am trying to get an understanding on is, when the water pump sucks up the water where is it being pushed to and where should it exit.
I dont think mine is working as it should even though my engine doesnt overheat and water comes out ther pee hole.

 

[bentle]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Water should mainly only be coming out of pee hole,main exhaust, and the tiny outlet holes
On the lower leg. I wonder if using the drum or barrel you mentioned earlier is creating so much
turbulence and moving water so fast around the lower unit that its creating the affect of a leak
that may not be there if the muffs were used or on the lake. I would say that if your not
overheating ,not getting any water in the lower cowl then everything is ok. A thought I had
Though is maybe check your gear case oil in the lower leg and just make sure it isn't milky. I talked to a outboard mech here where I live about this and he stated that water can fill in the lower leg
and spray out where the lower leg bolts on to the lower cowl because of loose or missing bolts or even parts that don't fit snug the way they should. He didn't feel like that was a prob.
Could be a leaking pump housing or leaking water pick up tube. The only reason we don,t want these to leak is eventually water will get into the gear casing on the lower leg. Not a big deal just make sure you have good clean gear oil and that it isn't milky. If left milky to long then your gears will rust and then sees up and if that happens then we will need to start a new thread cause I would love to learn about that mess.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Water circulation question on 1999 Force 120 Outboard

Don't answer unless your really sure you know what your talking about.Sounds normal.
It should come out the back holes and the holes around the cavitation plate and through the hub.J